Category Archives: Film

A Bookstore is Gone, Long Live the Books! Part 8-The Film Till Now

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A local used bookstore recently closed after 25 years. They had a fantastic going-out-of-business sale. While part of me feels “guilty” for taking advantage of their sad circumstances, the rest (and logical) part of me knows that they needed to sell as many books as possible. Through these books, a bit of their entrepreneurial and intellectual spirit will live on. With that idea in mind, I’m doing a limited-run series where I’ll spotlight each of the volumes I “adopted” from this sweet little shop. Shine on, you bookish gems!

Today’s selection? The Film Till Now by Paul Rotha.

The Film Till Now

DETAILS:

  • TITLE: THE FILM TILL NOW
  • AUTHOR: PAUL ROTHA
  • REPRINTED IN 1931/FIRST PUBLISHED 1930
  • PUBLISHED BY: JONATHAN CAPE & HARRISON SMITH

Stylish endpapers

WHY I BOUGHT IT:

The Film Till Now has been on my TBR list for more years than I care to count. My laziness in never actively looking for a copy truly paid off, as this edition dates to just a year after the book was first published. It is in wonderful shape for its age (87 years!).

Thanks for reading! I hope you’re enjoying the series. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Louise Brooks on Learning to Write

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“For two extraordinary years, I have been working on it–learning to write– but mostly learning how to tell the truth. At first it is quite impossible. You make yourself better than anybody, and when you finally come to see you are “like” everybody– that is the bitterest blow of all to the ego. But in the end it is only the truth, no matter how ugly or shameful, that is right, that fits together, that makes real people, and strangely enough– beauty…”–Louise Brooks

Louise Brooks, circa 1929

The extraordinarily gifted and intelligent Louise Brooks– dancer, actor, and writer–was born on 14 November 1906. May she never be forgotten. 

Off-topic Post: The 100 Years Show (2015)

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The 100 Years Show (2015) is a charming, sweet, and inspiring documentary short about Cuban-American artist Carmen Herrera. Her work is extraordinary.

Just as intriguing?

Her life story and glacial climb to prominence in the art world. (She turned 99 during filming of the documentary.) Oh, and a work ethic that puts us all to shame.

The 100 Years Show (2015):

  • Directed by: Alison Klayman
  • Starring: Carmen Herrera
  • Runtime: 30 minutes
  • Release Date: January 2017

The film is currently streaming on Netflix (USA).